A LITTLE girl from Coventry is seriously ill and needs the publics help in finding a matching blood stem cell donor.

Rhiane Francois, 7, was sadly diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia last September and has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy.

Once her chemotherapy treatment has finished, she is likely to need a stem cell donation to save her life.

For many blood cancer patients a blood stem cell donation is their only chance of survival, but only half of the people diagnosed in the UK find a matching donor.

Rhiane, her family and friends are working with Delete Blood Cancer UK to encourage people to register as potential stem cell donors and are holding an event at the Belgrade Theatre this Saturday to tell people about becoming a donor and registering those who are interested in joining the registry.

The event will take place from 10am-4pm. Anyone in good general health between the ages of 18-55 can register as a potential stem cell donor and pre-registration is possible from the age of 17.

When the family were told about Rhiane being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, obviously we had mixed emotions, said Natalie Francois, Rhianes aunt.

You don't expect a child to have such an illness, but seeing just how positive Rhiane has continued to be, inspired us to do something positive that would not just potentially save Rhiane but also one of the many other patients in need of a stem cell donation.

Rhiane keeps telling the family that she is fighting this poorly bug.

We are working with Delete Blood Cancer UK in order to encourage as many people from our local communities to register to be on standby to donate some stem cells. Its such a simple process that could save a life.

Continued here:
Donor drive for Coventry youngster Rhiane